Makeup

In a Galaxy Not Far Away (CVS and Walgreens Stores), You’ll Find The Milani Constellation Gel Eye Liners

September 19th, 2014 by Karen 20 Comments

Wearing the new Milani Constellation Gel Eye Liners in Enchanted Emerald and Enchanted Lapis ($6.99 each)

It’s only a matter of time before Ryan and Eva call and ask me to babysit this “alleged” fruit of their loins, and when they do (Guys, seriously, call me. Ryan, I mean you. Please call me.), I could show up dressed like a responsible citizen, perhaps wearing one of these Milani Constellation Gel Eye Liners ($6.99 each and available in three shades) in a thin, tasteful cat eye with a dainty flick at the end…but why would I do that?

The three Milani Constellation Gel Eye Liners, $6.99 each

I don’t want to look responsible… I want to strike fear into Eva’s heart! Girlfriend needs to know that we, as in all of womankind, are on to her.

Gurl, we know that baby isn’t his! Stop playin’ already. 🙂

But seriously, word on the street is that these limited edition liners are flying off the shelves at CVS and Walgreens stores (I haven’t seen them on the Milani website), and I can see why. They exude personality. Technically gel eyeliners, they have a glittery overspray on top, and they sure are eye-catching, aren’t they?

So sparkly! Like gazing at a newly formed galaxy…but, like, in a pot.

Milani Constellation Gel Eye Liner in Enchanted Emerald — Enchanted Emerald

Milani Constellation Gel Eye Liner in Black Opal — Black Opal

Milani Constellation Gel Eye Liner in Enchanted Lapis — Enchanted Lapis

When you get through the overspray, you’re greeted by complex, interesting colors. Take the Enchanted Emerald shade, which from some angles looks like a deep, glossy black, and from others, a peacock blue with an undercurrent of tropical teal…

Super pretty!

I’m into all three of these, but not just because of their dynamic colors. I also like the creamy, almost wet texture and the astronomically shiny finish. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like it before.

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The New Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette: Chic Cheeks Are Just a Couple Swipes Away

September 19th, 2014 by Karen 36 Comments

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette blushes from the left: Luminous Flush, Incandescent Electra and Mood Exposure — Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette

Hello, gorgeous. Good afternoon. I don’t want to keep you from the fun I hope you’re having (it is Friday, after all), but do you have time for a 2-minute review? I hope so, because this is one I think you’ll like. 🙂

Are you ready? OK, I’m turning over the hourglass now…

The new Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette: 2-minute review

A limited edition palette containing three Hourglass blushes, two of them re-promotes and one brand new blush shade.
Price: $58 US, $67 CDN
Coming October 2014 to Barneys New York, Bergdorf Goodman, Sephora and Space NK stores, as well as online to hourglasscosmetics.com.
The two re-promoted blush shades are Luminous Flush (a champagne rose blush fused with Ambient Powder in Luminous Light) and Mood Exposure (a soft plum blush fused with Ambient Powder in Mood Light).
The single new shade, exclusive to the Ambient Lighting Blush Palette, is called Incandescent Electra, a cool peach blush blended with Ambient Powder in Incandescent Light.
Handle with care! Even the packaging indicates that the palette is fragile, so this beauty may not be fit for whirlwind travel.
Incandescent Electra, the new peach shade, is much more pigmented than I thought it would be at first blush/glance. One layer is enough for a natural-looking flush.
Go really easy on Luminous Flush and Mood Exposure, because you’ll probably only need a bit of either one.
All three of these are, unsurprisingly for Hourglass, a breeze to blend, and the powders don’t appear heavy at all on the skin.
I think they also look great in pics. Skin doesn’t look oily, and pores don’t look extra-large.
Wear time clocks in around 8-9 hours.
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A (an A+ if the packaging felt more fit for travel, but I’m nervous about the blushes breaking!)

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette Luminous Flush — Luminous Flush

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette Incandescent Electra — Incandescent Electra

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette Mood Exposure — Mood Exposure

Hourglass Blush Palette Swatches — From the left: Luminous Flush, Incandescent Electra and Mood Exposure

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For Long, Lush, Lifted Lashes, Try the Funky Brush: New Lancome Grandiose Mascara

September 18th, 2014 by Karen 16 Comments

Yo, is Cyberdyne Systems engineering mascaras now? Because everything about Lancome’s new Grandiose Mascara ($32, available in one shade, Noir) says, “BEHOLD! I am from the future, primitive bipedal creature, and I am here to rewrite mascara history as we know it! I mean…as you know it, because I already know it, of course, so I’m referring to you. As YOU know it… That’s what I meant to say. Oh, never mind!”

The wonderfully weird curved neck and tapered tube, the black rose silhouetted on the side — it’s as if an advanced artificial intelligence developed what we humans were too daft to figure out.

It’s all very sci-fi, if you ask me. 🙂

The purpose of this mascara’s programming is pretty obvs. The funky brush. Lancome says they spent three years developing a brush that could grab every last lash — even the hard-to-reach buggers that hide in the inner and outer corners — and coupling it with a formula for a dramatic, fanned lash look with lots of length, volume and curl.

Inside the box, there’s even a fairly detailed schematic demonstrating wand positions and brush flips, which may or may not leave you feeling as though you’re about to attempt brain surgery (or build a cabinet from Ikea).

Lancome Grandiose Mascara instructions — Umm…

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These L’Oreal Glossy Balms Are Ideal for Lazy Sunday Afternoons Filled With French Fries and Vanilla Shakes

September 18th, 2014 by Karen 21 Comments

Dear Karl Lagerfeld,

Look, I get it. I do. I totally understand why you feel so strongly about sweatpants. I feel the same way about wearing pajamas in public.

When I grew up, pajamas were strictly for use at home, and I still hold on to that belief. No one should have to see a grown man wearing red plaid pajamas on a Tuesday afternoon at the mall. I mean, really? You couldn’t spare 10 seconds to put on jeans? Please…

Sweatpants, however, I don’t know… I really love some of mine, and they’re not all bad, Karl. I have a killer pair by Zella that does great things for my bum. Makes me look like I spend all day doing squats with J. Lo and cutting carbs.

Plus, I wouldn’t know what else I’d wear with my L’Oreal Colour Riche Glossy Balms.

Loreal Gloss Balm from the left: Pink Me Up, My Babydoll, Lovely Mocha and Petite Plum — From the left: Pink Me Up, My Babydoll, Lovely Mocha and Petite Plum

Come on, Karl, don’t act like you’re too good for the drugstore. *Snaps in a Z formation.* I’m telling you, I really think you’d like these balms. They have as much pigment as any of the other lippies in my makeup bag and an elegant, soft shine worthy of the House of Chanel.

Loreal Gloss Balm packaging — Cute type!

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The Urban Decay Black Magic 24/7 Glide-On Double Ended Eye Pencil Set: Urban Decay Sacrificed Newness To Create This Magical Binding

September 17th, 2014 by Karen 10 Comments

Of the many valuable lessons I’ve learned watching Game of Thrones, including 1) that dragons can’t really be tamed, 2) always bring a weapon to a wedding, and 3) stay away from places called King’s Landing, the most valuable lesson by far has been this: just say no to blood magic.

Because it never turns out right! I just think as a general policy, it’s wise to avoid it.

Thanks for the sage advice, George R.R. Martin. 🙂

While we’re at it, it’s probably also a good idea to avoid black magic. I mean, I may have been expelled from Hogwarts after one semester (my parents were so bummed!), but even I know that.

Urban Decay Black Magic Double-Ended Eye Pencil Set Packaging with a MAC Lipglass for scale — Beside a MAC Lipglass for scale…

Of course, black magic as it pertains to makeup? — that’s a different story. By all means, feel free to allow Urban Decay’s new pigmented, silky smooth Black Magic 24/7 Glide-On Double-Ended Eye Pencil Set ($39) to cast its spell on yo’ lash lines.

This captivating kit comes with four dual-ended pencil liners. Each one comes with one of UD’s signature black liners (black cream Zero, smokey black Black Velvet, charcoal satiny black Black Market or blackest black matte Perversion) on one end and a different intense, colorful shade (deep brown matte Demolition, deep gray matte Smoke, dark eggplant Tornado or bright turquoise LSD) on the other.

This time, there are no new shades up in the mix. Zero, Black Velvet, Perversion, Demolition, Smoke and LSD are re-promotes from the permanent line, while Black Market and Tornado are re-promotes that previously appeared in other sets.

Urban Decay Black Magic swatches from the left: Zero, Black Velvet, Black Market and Perversion — Swatches from the left: Zero, Black Velvet, Black Market and Perversion

Urban Decay Black Magic swatches from the left: Demolition, Smoke, Tornado and LSD — Demolition, Smoke, Tornado and LSD

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The Secret to Tinker Bell’s Shimmer, Exposed! She Uses Urban Decay Naked Illuminated Shimmering Powder for Face and Body in Aura

September 17th, 2014 by Karen 7 Comments

When I finally figure out how to open the portal to the Magical Land of The Drag Queen Roller Disco, I would really like to have Urban Decay’s Naked Illuminated Shimmering Powder for Face and Body in Aura ($29) with me in my purse, because it would be a shame to enter a realm where the moon looks like a giant disco ball and the sky rains glitter without at least a little highlighter on my face.

That’s all I’m saying.

Once through the portal, I’m pretty sure this baked golden peachy pink powder would also give me good street cred within the inner circle. They’d be like, “Honey, did you see that chick with the big Lorde hair wearing Urban Decay’s new highlighter? Girlfriend had glitter on her face FOR DAYS. But in a good way.”

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Like Actual Shadowboxing Is for Boxers, Urban Decay Shadow Box Is Great for Beauty Beginners (and More Experienced Makeup Mavens)

September 16th, 2014 by Karen 11 Comments

Urban Decay’s new $34 Shadow Box Eyeshadow Palette has better balance than an advanced yoga class! — and that gives me So. Much. Hope.

I may never be able to achieve perfect balance in my day-to-day life, but with my makeup? Haaay! Girl can get close. 🙂

With this palette, I’ll be able to push what my makeup-averse friend Cindy calls “my makeup agenda,” and next time I see her and my friend Jen (my two best childhood gal pals), you better believe I’m going to do that.

This is a great one for beginners (makeup-averse friends) and people new to the brand.

Jen and Cindy aren’t exactly makeup obsessed, but it’s been my life’s mission to change that. One day, I will be victorious!

Here’s my plan: first, I’ll lure them in with Shadow Box’s stylin’ black and purple case, which houses 12 powder shadows — nine of UD’s bestselling shades and three brand new ones (Indo, Moonshadow and Baked Cowboy).

Next, I’ll hook ’em with the neutrals, and the browns, black, golds and bronzes. Yup, half of this palette is comprised of everyday shades, which makes it gloriously practical.

Urban Decay Shadow Box Swatches from the left: Sin, Indo (new), Bordello and Tornado — Swatches from the left: Sin, Indo (new), Bordello and Tornado

Urban Decay Shadow Box swatches from the left: Smog, Blackout, Flash and Mushroom — Smog, Blackout, Flash and Mushroom

Urban Decay Shadow Box Swatches from the left: Lost, Freelove, Moonshadow (new) and Baked Cowboy (new) — Urban Decay Shadow Box swatches from the left: Lost, Freelove, Moonshadow (new) and Baked Cowboy (new)

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NARS All Day Luminous Powder Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF24: The Stuff of My Most Radiant, Soft Matte Finish Dreams (in Somewhat Tricky Packaging)

September 16th, 2014 by Karen 21 Comments

Wearing the new NARS All Day Luminous Powder Foundation Broad Spectrum SFP24 ($48)

Of all my many makeup and beauty pursuits, like the quests for big hair, lush lashes and behaved brows (frickin’ Raul!), the quest for luxurious-looking skin consumes the most time.

I’m always looking for that expensive, luxurious Louis Vuitton skin look…without having to spend Real Housewives of Beverly Hills money.

Polished.

Elegant.

And hella pricey (looking).

Available in 13 shades, the new $48 NARS All Day Luminous Powder Foundation delivers exactly that, and it’s a revelation, especially when it’s applied with a wet sponge (I use a Beauty Blender).

It’s the stuff of my most radiant, soft matte finish dreams (in somewhat tricky packaging).

NARS All Day Luminous Powder Foundation light — The light shades

My big fear with powder foundations is that they’ll look thick and heavy on my combination skin, because many of them do, but NARS All Day Luminous does not. The fine, silky powder formula looks and feels lightweight, while the finish falls somewhere between dewy and matte.

Coverage ranges from light to medium, depending on how you apply them. When I use a dry sponge or brush, the coverage is at its lightest. The formula does even out my skin tone a little, but some of the natural redness in my cheeks still peeks through, and I can still see my freckles. Worn this way, the look is super casual.

NARS All Day Luminous Powder Foundation Medium — The medium shades

NARS All Day Luminous Powder Foundation Medium Dark — The medium-dark shades

Using a sponge or Beauty Blender to apply them kicks up the coverage a notch. For the highest coverage (medium), I like to apply a 50/50 mix of Stromboli and Tahoe, because together they’re a closer match to my skin tone than any of the 13 individual shades, with a wet Beauty Blender. That keeps my freckles on the down-low and makes sure that no red on my cheeks sneaks through.

I’m definitely partial to applying these with the wet sponge (I use a patting and rolling motion). I think that way the look is more natural.

These don’t take long to apply, either. I can have a full face of foundation applied, blended and done in 3-4 minutes.

NARS All Day Luminous Powder Foundation Swatches — Swatches of all 13 shades

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